Methods and Systems For Virtual Energy Management Display

• US 20130002447A1
• Filed: 09/11/2012
• Published: 01/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Trilliant Networks Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Trilliant Networks Incorporated
• Inventors: Vogel, William Steven, Veillette, Michel, Magnotti, Victor Edward
• Application Number:
  US13/610,337
• Publication Number:
  US 20130002447A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/870.02
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/25 using a mesh network, e.g. a public urban network such as public lighting, bus stops or traffic lights
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/60 for transmitting utility meters data, i.e. transmission of data from the reader of the utility meter
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/30 Wind power

Abstract

A method and system of virtual energy management display involves periodically receiving via a mesh local area network electronic data representing energy management-related information by a RF communication-enabled memory storage device coupled to an electronic display device within a home area network. Electronic data representing telemetry information is likewise periodically received by the RF communication-enabled memory storage device from at least one RF communication-enabled energy management-related device within the home area network. The electronic data is converted to a common format by an application running at least in part on the memory storage device and displayed on a screen associated with the display device.

Claims

1. A display device comprising a screen and a wireless data storage card seated within a card slot thereof, the display device in wireless communication with an energy load management control device via a home area network and adapted to:

(i) receive energy management-related information from the energy load management control device, (ii) convert the received energy management-related information to a common format displayable on the screen, and (iii) display the converted energy management-related information on the screen.

2. A display device according to claim 1, wherein the wireless data storage card is a radio frequency (RF) communication-enabled integrated circuit (IC) data storage card.

3. A display device according to claim 2, wherein the RF communication-enabled IC data storage card is selected from the group consisting of a secure digital card (SD card), a micro-SD card, a CompactFlash card (CF card), a Universal Serial Bus (USB) storage device, and a network memory stick.

4. A display device according to claim 1, further adapted to receive telemetry information via the home area network.

5. A display device according to claim 4, further adapted to convert the received telemetry information to a common format displayable on the screen and display the converted telemetry information on the screen.

6. A display device according to claim 5, wherein the telemetry information is selected from the group consisting of weather forecasts and energy news.

7. A display device according to claim 5, wherein the telemetry information is received from at least one of an energy meter, a thermostat, a solar panel system control, wind generator system control, a pool pump control, and a water heater control.

8. A display device according to claim 1, wherein the energy management-related information comprises real time energy management-related messages.

9. A display device according to claim 8, wherein the real time energy management-related messages include one or more of the group consisting of energy pricing information, energy usage information, energy account information, energy-related weather information, and energy-related security information.

10. A display device according to claim 1, further adapted to display digital photos.

11. A display device according to claim 1, wherein the display device is in the form of a smartphone, a wireless computing device with a screen saver application, a RF communication-enabled PDA liquid crystal display (LCD), or an RF communication-enabled PDA docking station.

12. A display device according to claim 1, wherein the display device is in the form of a smart meter or smart thermostat.

13. A display device according to claim 12, wherein the display device is in the form of a smart meter.

14. A display device according to claim 12, wherein the display device is in the form of a smart thermostat.

15. A display device according to claim 1, wherein said converting comprises converting the received energy management-related information into a display of scrolling text and graphics.